Keywords:
Inflammation, Localisation, Imaging sequences, MR, Musculoskeletal system, Musculoskeletal soft tissue
Authors:
A. Atinga, A. Sandhu, A. Raithatha, C. Limback-Stanic, S. viegas, M. Khanna, D. Amiras; London/UK
DOI:
10.1594/essr2018/P-0117
Background
The aetiology and classification of muscle disorders is complex; they can be differentiated into hereditary,
acquired, related to connective tissue disorders or secondary to neurogenic disorders1.
The clinical presentation is important to the differential diagnosis and often includes symptoms of weakness or pain.
However,
sometimes the presentation is non-specific and the diagnosis is not always evident.
For example,
patients may present with symptoms that mimic a surgical abdomen or deep vein thrombosis.
The age of symptom onset,
family history and sex are also important when considering a likely diagnosis.
Patients may have features of inflammation on blood tests,
including raised inflammatory markers such as Complement Reactive Protein (CRP) or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR).
Patients will often have raised creatinekinase (CK) levels – a marker of muscle break down.
The distribution of muscle involvement may be asymmetric or symmetric,
affecting the axial and/or peripheral skeleton,
the latter further divided into proximal or distal muscle groups.